AB de Villiers pulls out of New Zealand T20s

AB de Villiers has pulled out of South Africa's Twenty20 internationals at home against New Zealand in December, citing the need for extra rest before the Tests in January. Justin Ontong, the Cape Cobras captain, has been called into the squad.

"It's been an exhausting few months and I feel that I need some extra rest before the Test series," De Villiers said. "It's for this reason that I have put in the request and I'm grateful to the team management for supporting this decision."

When the squad was announced on December 13, South Africa's selectors had named Faf du Plessis as captain in order to reduce the workload on de Villiers, who was included as a player. Quinton de Kock, who was part of South Africa's Under-19 squad for the 2012 World Cup, had been designated as wicketkeeper for the T20s, and ESPNCricinfo understands he will also keep in the one-dayers after the Tests, although the ODI squad has not been named yet.

De Villiers has a history of back problems that have worsened because of wicketkeeping, and this request for a break will fuel speculation that he is in trouble again. After the World Twenty20 in September, de Villiers needed three weeks of rehabilitation for his back, and South Africa's management denied the injury has recurred again.

"There is nothing imminently wrong with his back, it is just about managing workload," Mohammed Moosajee said, the team manager, told ESPNcricinfo. "The plan is to rotate players like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla because of the schedule. Morne and Dale will probably only play one or two matches each. With AB, it's about getting his mindset right and getting him energised. It's physical and mental."

De Villiers had complained of stiffness and fatigue after playing in the domestic one-day cup playoff match on December 9. Moosajee said that could be a result of jetlag, as the team had only arrived from Australia four days before. De Villiers' role in the game could also have contributed to the fatigue. He scored a century and fielded for the entire duration of Cobras' innings because Heino Kuhn kept wicket.

Three days after that match, De Villiers said the game was "hard on my body," and that he was glad he was a wicketkeeper for South Africa "because the time in the field was tiring."

However, ESPNcricinfo understands wicketkeeping is partly responsible for de Villiers' back injuries. He became the permanent Test wicketkeeper after Mark Boucher retired and wants to continue in the role. A source close to Cricket South Africa said de Villiers had been initially reluctant to take on the job but had "changed his mind" since. With Tests the focus for de Villiers, despite his role as limited-overs captain, he will be rested when the schedule allows, although he will play the IPL.

De Villiers' replacement Ontong captained Cobras to the final of the domestic one-day cup. He scored 268 runs in 12 matches at an average of 44.66. He was part of South Africa's squad at the World T20, although he did not play, and will lead the A side in a practice match against New Zealand this afternoon.

"Justin has been in our limited-overs plans for some time now and he has underlined his worth during the recent one-day cup, when he excelled as a finisher," Andrew Hudson, the convenor of selectors, said. "As we all know he is also an outstanding fielder with his direct hits and a more than useful spin bowler. We are fortunate to have a player of his calibre to replace AB and the loss of one is certainly an opportunity for the other."

@ TommytuckerSaffa - Unlikely. du Plessis is not a guaranteed selection for the Test team. Smith is still captain of the Test team as well.

on December 19, 2012, 10:08 GMT

Its good to see lots of youngsters getting the opportunity..but where is Albie...he was there in test squad in test for england but suddenly out of T20 itself!!!!!!!

on December 19, 2012, 8:45 GMT

Where is Mclaren? Parnell hasn't been good in a while.

Robster1
on December 18, 2012, 21:48 GMT

For goodness sake, remove the gloves from AB permanently.

TommytuckerSaffa
on December 18, 2012, 21:26 GMT

Interesting that Faff du Plessis was the captain when him and AB were at school. I wonder if he would be able to surpass AB as being Test captain one day - which would be a good thing to reduce ABs work load....

Really happy about Q de Kock's selection at W/C, he is a great prospect for the future and hopefully will break into the Test team in a couple years.

on December 18, 2012, 20:54 GMT

AS a Huge NZ cricket Fan and test cricket fan in general. I want NZ test to compete against the best possible SA test team, WHo cares about $$T20$$ cricket

on December 18, 2012, 20:20 GMT

On the other hand lets not forget that spectators will feel a bit cheesed off as they will rightly expect to see the best possible players for their money.Consider that Durban has a single T20 as well as a 50 over odi in March-2 days of international cricket in a full season in the 2nd largest province in the country!And thats with Pakistan visiting! On top of that players pull out because they are "tired".Heck this is not the comrades marathon-it is asking A.B to field for approx 90 minutes and bat for less than that! Remember the host broadcaster wont be even showing international cricket (unless things have changed).The players owe it to the public to make a showing and not reduce the event to a sham and it is certainly disrespectful to the paying public.

StaalBurgher
on December 18, 2012, 15:23 GMT

Good. No need to waste him on rubbish T20.

viking_legend
on December 18, 2012, 14:00 GMT

IMO Its great that the selectors are identifying key roles for players instead of expecting them to be great at everything. This takes a lot of pressure of AB De Villiers and allows him to play freely in the T20s

on December 18, 2012, 13:32 GMT

This paves the way for de Kock to establish himself, Boucher-like, in the LOI setup and then, at some point in the not-too-distant future, in the Test arena, too. AB will gladly pass the WK role to de Kock and then he can take the Kallis role.

This is a smart move by RSA.

StaalBurgher
on December 21, 2012, 22:51 GMT

@ TommytuckerSaffa - Unlikely. du Plessis is not a guaranteed selection for the Test team. Smith is still captain of the Test team as well.

on December 19, 2012, 10:08 GMT

Its good to see lots of youngsters getting the opportunity..but where is Albie...he was there in test squad in test for england but suddenly out of T20 itself!!!!!!!

on December 19, 2012, 8:45 GMT

Where is Mclaren? Parnell hasn't been good in a while.

Robster1
on December 18, 2012, 21:48 GMT

For goodness sake, remove the gloves from AB permanently.

TommytuckerSaffa
on December 18, 2012, 21:26 GMT

Interesting that Faff du Plessis was the captain when him and AB were at school. I wonder if he would be able to surpass AB as being Test captain one day - which would be a good thing to reduce ABs work load....

Really happy about Q de Kock's selection at W/C, he is a great prospect for the future and hopefully will break into the Test team in a couple years.

on December 18, 2012, 20:54 GMT

AS a Huge NZ cricket Fan and test cricket fan in general. I want NZ test to compete against the best possible SA test team, WHo cares about $$T20$$ cricket

on December 18, 2012, 20:20 GMT

On the other hand lets not forget that spectators will feel a bit cheesed off as they will rightly expect to see the best possible players for their money.Consider that Durban has a single T20 as well as a 50 over odi in March-2 days of international cricket in a full season in the 2nd largest province in the country!And thats with Pakistan visiting! On top of that players pull out because they are "tired".Heck this is not the comrades marathon-it is asking A.B to field for approx 90 minutes and bat for less than that! Remember the host broadcaster wont be even showing international cricket (unless things have changed).The players owe it to the public to make a showing and not reduce the event to a sham and it is certainly disrespectful to the paying public.

StaalBurgher
on December 18, 2012, 15:23 GMT

Good. No need to waste him on rubbish T20.

viking_legend
on December 18, 2012, 14:00 GMT

IMO Its great that the selectors are identifying key roles for players instead of expecting them to be great at everything. This takes a lot of pressure of AB De Villiers and allows him to play freely in the T20s

on December 18, 2012, 13:32 GMT

This paves the way for de Kock to establish himself, Boucher-like, in the LOI setup and then, at some point in the not-too-distant future, in the Test arena, too. AB will gladly pass the WK role to de Kock and then he can take the Kallis role.

This is a smart move by RSA.

riprock
on December 18, 2012, 13:20 GMT

Hasn't Ryan Mclaren replaced Parnell in this squad? I guess there was an article on that decision.

Pablo123
on December 18, 2012, 12:59 GMT

Good squad, Justin is an able replacement. SA have a big bank of players at the moment that could slot in nearly anywhere. They do lack the big hitting of Albie though, pity he's injured.

on December 18, 2012, 12:37 GMT

where is albie morkel. i mean he can be best of them all.

djdrastic
on December 18, 2012, 12:24 GMT

Who didn't see this coming a mile away ? For petes sake can we get the keeping situation sorted out now ?

BackOfALength504
on December 18, 2012, 11:53 GMT

So that's it? Thami is completely out of CSA's plans, after they handed him a national contract?!

bull01
on December 18, 2012, 11:52 GMT

Amazing to think that Boucher played all formats of the game for sooo many years with virtually no injury or excuse ... much missed.

on December 18, 2012, 11:04 GMT

i hope that FAF DU will be good captain as a good batsman

Narbavi
on December 18, 2012, 10:53 GMT

@ 9ST9: I still believe Dhoni is the best man for the job, he is our no.1 behind the stumps, he will divide opinion regarding the captaincy but still he is good enough to play tests, i would rather have virat take over the t20 captaincy and build an young team around him

KunzMan
on December 18, 2012, 9:51 GMT

@Raghan and MAd-1: These are problems plaguing Asian teams more often. And a small correction to the 'revised' squad. McLaren has replaced Parnell...

edgie
on December 18, 2012, 9:34 GMT

MAD-1, i dont aggree, this is far from a Ross Taylor moment. AB is still the ODI and T20 captain, but he has played ALOT of cricket lately, and deserves a rest. Also, unlike the NZC whose coach seems to favourites amongst his players, Gary seems to be more fair and level-headed. No one man is above the team, just look at KP's saga when the Proteas toured there.

on December 18, 2012, 9:31 GMT

really good decision :)
i apprecaite to ab-de-villers he is my fav batsman good :)

on December 18, 2012, 9:29 GMT

wonderful t20 team, ab should get enough rest

on December 18, 2012, 9:22 GMT

This has nothing to do with the captaincy, AB + faf are big mates. Stop with your rumours...

MAD-1
on December 18, 2012, 8:57 GMT

Lets be honest with ourselves. This is SA's mini Ross Taylor moment. No one takes kindly to being replaced as Captain.

9ST9
on December 18, 2012, 8:53 GMT

@Narbavi - I rather think India should take a cue and rest Dhoni from tests for quite a long time.

THE_MIZ
on December 18, 2012, 8:29 GMT

Good decision by AB to withdraw. The last thing we need is AB to get an injury playing these meaningless T20s against NZ. Rest Well AB, SA expects alot from your batting in the upcoming tests! Ontong is a fine finisher for the Cobras and an adequate replacement!

on December 18, 2012, 8:26 GMT

wonderful team guys, looking for thriller, come ON SA,

on December 18, 2012, 8:26 GMT

A B D does not want to play under his school mate?!

Narbavi
on December 18, 2012, 8:21 GMT

Very good decision, i was surprised that he was in the squad in the first place given his workload and the games to come in the future, hope indian selectors take a cue and rest dhoni for t20 games,

No featured comments at the moment.

Narbavi
on December 18, 2012, 8:21 GMT

Very good decision, i was surprised that he was in the squad in the first place given his workload and the games to come in the future, hope indian selectors take a cue and rest dhoni for t20 games,

on December 18, 2012, 8:26 GMT

A B D does not want to play under his school mate?!

on December 18, 2012, 8:26 GMT

wonderful team guys, looking for thriller, come ON SA,

THE_MIZ
on December 18, 2012, 8:29 GMT

Good decision by AB to withdraw. The last thing we need is AB to get an injury playing these meaningless T20s against NZ. Rest Well AB, SA expects alot from your batting in the upcoming tests! Ontong is a fine finisher for the Cobras and an adequate replacement!

9ST9
on December 18, 2012, 8:53 GMT

@Narbavi - I rather think India should take a cue and rest Dhoni from tests for quite a long time.

MAD-1
on December 18, 2012, 8:57 GMT

Lets be honest with ourselves. This is SA's mini Ross Taylor moment. No one takes kindly to being replaced as Captain.

on December 18, 2012, 9:22 GMT

This has nothing to do with the captaincy, AB + faf are big mates. Stop with your rumours...

on December 18, 2012, 9:29 GMT

wonderful t20 team, ab should get enough rest

on December 18, 2012, 9:31 GMT

really good decision :)
i apprecaite to ab-de-villers he is my fav batsman good :)

edgie
on December 18, 2012, 9:34 GMT

MAD-1, i dont aggree, this is far from a Ross Taylor moment. AB is still the ODI and T20 captain, but he has played ALOT of cricket lately, and deserves a rest. Also, unlike the NZC whose coach seems to favourites amongst his players, Gary seems to be more fair and level-headed. No one man is above the team, just look at KP's saga when the Proteas toured there.